Dennis Rodman checks into rehab facility for alcoholism

Former NBA player Dennis Rodman checked into a rehabilitation facility Saturday for treatment of his long-term struggle with alcoholism.

Darren Prince did not specify which facility Rodman had entered or how long he planned to receive treatment.

The announcement follows Rodman's recent return to the U.S. from his latest trip to North Korea.

Rodman had an outburst about captive American missionary Kenneth Bae in a CNN televised interview earlier this month. Bae was detained in North Korea in Nov. 2012 and placed in a labor camp.

In the interview, Rodman was challenged on why he is not using his connections with North Korean leader Kim Jung Un to help Bae. Rodman suggested that Kim was right in detaining the 45-year-old missionary.

He later apologized for comments he made, saying he had been drinking and was under pressure as he organized an exhibition game there.

Rodman released the following statement: "I want to apologize. I take full responsibility for my actions. It had been a very stressful day. Some of my teammates were leaving because of pressure from their families and business associates. My dreams of basketball diplomacy was quickly falling apart. I had been drinking. It's not an excuse but by the time the interview happened I was upset. I was overwhelmed. It's not an excuse, it's just the truth.

"I want to first apologize to Kenneth Bae's family. I want to apologize to my teammates and my management team. I also want to apologize to Chris Cuomo. I embarrassed a lot of people. I'm very sorry. At this point I should know better than to make political statements. I'm truly sorry."

Prince says Rodman came back from North Korea in "pretty rough shape emotionally."

Rodman won five NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls and was one of the NBA's fiercest rebounders and most colorful personalities.